Undergarment apparel spacers and low resistance air flow

Abstract

Described herein is protective apparel that comprises a set of spacers attached to an undergarment. Each spacer attaches to the undergarment and is arranged under shroud material that rests over top of the undergarment. Collectively, the spacers maintain the shroud material proximate to each spacer distant from the undergarment worn by the person, thereby preventing continuous contact between the person and portions of the shroud material near the spacers. Multiple spacers form air channels between the spacers, the undergarment and inner portions of the shroud material. The channels permit low resistance airflow within the shroud material. Low resistance airflow within the channels permits air to be easily moved underneath the shroud material to cool the person.

1 . Protective apparel comprising:
 a shroud material including a body portion configured to cover at least a portion of a torso of a person when the person wears the apparel, a first sleeve configured to receive a portion of a right arm of the person, and a second sleeve configured to receive a portion of a left arm of the person;   an undergarment configured to cover at least the portion of the torso of the person when the person wears the undergarment and adapted to be worn under the shroud material; and   a set of spacers, each spacer in the set a) including a first portion that attaches to a portion of the undergarment, b) configured to rest between the portion of the undergarment and a portion of shroud material included in the body portion when the person wears the apparel, and c) configured to maintain shroud material proximate to the spacer distant from the portion of the undergarment.   
   
   
       2 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein the undergarment does not include sleeves. 
   
   
       3 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein the undergarment further includes a pocket adapted to hold a blower that moves air between the undergarment and the shroud material. 
   
   
       4 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein each spacer in the set of spacers is compliant. 
   
   
       5 . The apparel of  claim 4  wherein each spacer comprises a compressible material. 
   
   
       6 . The apparel of  claim 5  wherein the compressible material has an elastic shape memory and the spacer substantially returns to its initial shape after a deforming force is removed from the spacer. 
   
   
       7 . The apparel of  claim 6  wherein the compressible material comprises compressible foam. 
   
   
       8 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein each spacer further includes an adhesive that attaches the spacer to the undergarment. 
   
   
       9 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein each spacer is designed to maintain an average distance from about ½ inch to about 4 inches between the inner portion of the apparel and the portion of the person. 
   
   
       10 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein the set of spacers forms a channel that is bordered by the person, a portion of the shroud material and two spacers in the set of spacers. 
   
   
       11 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein the set of spacers is configured to neighbor a waist portion of the person when the person wears the apparel. 
   
   
       12 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein the set of spacers is configured to neighbor a chest portion of the person when the person wears the apparel. 
   
   
       13 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein the set of spacers is configured to neighbor shoulders portion of the person when the person wears the apparel. 
   
   
       14 . The apparel of  claim 1  wherein the shroud material includes a transition portal that attaches to the shroud material and is configured to provides an exit for the person when doffing the protective apparel. 
   
   
       15 . Protective apparel comprising:
 shroud material that includes a body portion configured to cover at least a portion of a torso of a person when the person wears the apparel, a first sleeve configured to receive a portion of a right arm of the person, and a second sleeve configured to receive a portion of a left arm of the person; and   a sleeveless undergarment that includes a set of spacers, each spacer in the set a) including a first portion that attaches to a portion of the undergarment and a second portion configured to neighbor an inner portion of the shroud material when the person wears the apparel, and b) configured to maintain shroud material proximate to the spacer distant from the portion of the undergarment that the spacer attaches to.   
   
   
       16 . The apparel of  claim 15  wherein the undergarment further includes a pocket adapted to hold a blower that moves air between the undergarment and the shroud material. 
   
   
       17 . The apparel of  claim 15  wherein each spacer in the set of spacers is compliant and includes a compressible material. 
   
   
       18 . The apparel of  claim 17  wherein the compressible material has an elastic shape memory and the spacer substantially returns to its initial shape after a deforming force is removed from the spacer. 
   
   
       19 . The apparel of  claim 15  wherein the set of spacers forms a channel that is bordered by the person, a portion of the shroud material and two spacers in the set of spacers. 
   
   
       20 . Protective apparel comprising:
 a shroud material including a body portion configured to cover at least a portion of a torso of a person when the person wears the apparel, a first sleeve configured to receive a portion of a right arm of the person, and a second sleeve configured to receive a portion of a left arm of the person;   an undergarment configured to cover at least the portion of the torso of the person when the person wears the undergarment and adapted to be worn under the shroud material; and   a set of spacers configured to form multiple air channels that are each bordered by a channel portion of the undergarment, a channel portion of the shroud material and two spacers in the set of spacers when the person wears the apparel, each spacer in the set a) including a first portion that attaches to a portion of the undergarment, b) configured to rest between the portion of the undergarment and a portion of shroud material included in the body portion when the person wears the apparel, and c) configured to maintain shroud material proximate to the spacer distant from the portion of the undergarment.